Dallas Cowboys Player Avoids Prison for Fatal DUI Crash

Posted on Jan 27, 2014

Josh Brent, former Dallas Cowboys football player, avoided a prison sentence in an intoxicated manslaughter conviction for killing his friend, Jerry Brown in a drunken crash in 2012. Instead, the sentence handed down Friday, January 24, 2014, was 180 days in jail and a $10,000 fine. Brent could have faced up to twenty years in prison.

Stacey Brown, mother of Jerry Brown, was the last witness to take the stand in the punishment phase of the trial. Prosecutors say the fact Brent was given probation may be due to her testimony. The deceased man’s mother has come out publicly stating she forgives Brent. In her own words saying, “He’s still responsible…we all make mistakes.” Lead prosecutor, Heath Harris, said the victim’s family will always have a bearing on the sentencing. Prosecutors were pushing for prison time for Brent.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), whose headquarters are located not far from where the fatal DUI crash occurred, were “shocked and appalled” by the sentence Brent received. They said in a statement, “This punishment sends the message that it's OK to drink and drive -- but it's absolutely not."